Why, oh why, couldn't I have thought of this when
 

..I bought my first 'stash' fabric? Probably because 'neat' and 'organized' are not traits that are ever used to describe me!

I recently bought two 100 count sets of comic boards. Some of my fabric is folded and pinned to them. But it seems to take up a lot of room that I won't have when I am done.

So I switched to fold, measure length of fabric, tie with a labeled strip of selvage (or inch wide strips of fabric). First I put two 1 x 2-5/8th address labels on each strip of fabric, one on each side of the width of the strip, glue side together. Then I write the length, and, if applicable, the width, and tie up the piece of fabric. (Width is noted for any fabrics over 45 " wide.) I position the labels about middle of the length of my tie strip so that the label doesn't get caught in the bow that I tie to secure the fabric.

Writing the length and width of the fabric on the address label means I can 'shop' my fabrics and not have to take unfold to see how much of a particular fabric I have, then re-fold to put away if there isn't enough for the quilt I'm making or I decide not to use it.

If I use some, but not all, of a fabric, I can re-tie the remaining fabric, cross out the old size info and write the new on the other side of the label.

Cheaper than the comic boards, and it takes less room.

great idea and affordable.

Thanks for the idea...I'll have to try this, when I move into my new room.

I like this idea. I would worry about sticky residue from the label. I have bought fat quarters with sticky labels that left so much gum in the fabric that it never came out. I hope the address labels work better.

Can you post a picture?

I used to write the amt. of yardage in the selvage as I purchased each piece of fabric.

What a great idea. If I ever get organized, I hope I remember this.

It sounds like she's sticking the labels to each other around the selvage strips that are then tied around the folded piece.

gessssssssssss, I would be weeks doing that to my fabric. but very creative and will keep in in mind for the future ..thanks

Great idea...

Great idea! here's another (works in stores too when you're not sure how much is on a bolt) - make sure your folds, boards, ruler - whatever you wrap around - are 9" wide. Then 2 full wraps will be approximately a yard (9 + 9 (one wrap) + 9 + 9 (2nd wrap) = 36". If you don't have a 9" something or your fabric is already folded to a different size, just measure it flat and determine how that divides into 36" and you'll know how many wraps = a yard. Quick and easy - that's for me :-)

Thank you flybreit, I never thought of that. It was an "ahah moment" when I read your post. I ruler folded my yardage at 6 inches. I probably would have eventually counted wraps but then again, I probably wouldn't have thought of it. I did put the straight edges on the inside so I didn't have any surprises or odd angles when unfolding.

I have used these same size address labels on my fabric for years and have NEVER had trouble with sticky residue on the fabric. I keep all my fabric marked whether it be yardage or scrap; my fat qrtrs are in separate drawers so they aren't marked.

I have been pinning the sizes if more than 2 yds and off the bolt.if I used comic boards I would never have time to sew.

I'm putting the label stickers on the tie.

Sounds neat and organized to me! I spent more time measuring , reclining, tying and re folding when I tried that method. I soon realized I was quicker at estimating on the spot if a piece would work, and re folding it

You are not alone. I struggle with trying to get organized every day. It is so much fun to pull out fabric when designing a quilt but so difficult for me to get it nicely folded and put back where it belongs!

In our local cheap fabric shop, Aberkhan , after they cut a length of fabric on a bolt they mark how much is left. They have small labels to write on, eg 4.3m , then use a stapler to hold it in a corner of the fabric. No residue and small holes are in the selvedge area. Quick and easy.

Can you post a photo when you have it all organized?

I often sew a piece of paper with the size of the fabric to the top folded label. Much easier for me too.

I don't use fabric "per se" to tie up my fabrics...I use the bottom of a t-shirt that I am either turning into rags or tarn. The bottom hem is soft and has been washed so many times that there is no way it would bleed onto my fabric. I use squares of cardstock to write down the measurement and thread it onto the t-shirt "tie"